I can’t believe it is the final week of Project Run and Play and I am still here! Thank you so much for all of the support (specifically from my awesome husband and from my mum. Both of them have gone above and beyond to ensure that I was given time to complete my projects.)
You can vote right HERE: Finals Week!
Before I begin, I just have to say that this was one of the greatest experiences of my entire life and I am so thankful to have been a part of it. Some of my fellow competitors have now become people that I thoroughly enjoy having as my friend and there isn’t much more I could ask for.
This week’s theme was “Signature Style”. We had to create an outfit that we felt encompassed our personal design aesthetic and adequately represented our individual style.
Introducing
Beauté Classique
(Classic Beauty)
What is my “Signature Style”?
I believe that my style involves:
*lots of details, often in unexpected places
*beautiful colors and patterns
*classic and timeless designs
*craftsmanship
*peter pan collars (I love them, what can I say)
I think that about sums it up:)
My main focus this week was hand embroidery. I spent well over 23 hours (in a matter of 3 days; mathematically speaking that is insane) embroidering the entire front of Ainsley’s tunic. I modified an embroidery pattern I purchased HERE, traced it all out onto her shirt and spent days hand embroidering the entire thing. Time consuming, but well worth it
This week, I created a tunic using {faux} white linen. It has a bell shape, long sleeves, and of course a peter pan collar. There are accents of olive green throughout the top on the sleeve cuffs, the fabric covered buttons on the back, and the piping around the collar. Obviously, I embroidered the entire front of the tunic.
I also sewed up some adorable green bubble shorts (pantaloons) with a wide placket in the front featuring large buttons. They are seriously the most adorable thing ever and I might just eat them up.
I also made her an adorably large bow headband with coordinating fabric. Every girl needs accessories!
Check out my embroidery! I am seriously so proud of myself.
I am not joking when I say it took me complete and utter dedication to get this finished in a matter of 3 days…
Here is the entire outfit, including the boots (found at a discount!) and the upcycled cable knit stockings I made out of an old sweater. Those stockings didn’t get much use during our photo shoot because of the unusually warm weather, but they will be perfect in a few weeks!
And in keeping with my “Signature Style”….
here is a boat load of photos with very few captions and descriptions (I promise to get better about that 🙂
Here was my sketch that I created a week ago:
(hey, I never claimed to be an artist, okay? haha)
This was my result!
What do you think?
Ainsley was wearing her stockings in these beginning photos, before she was about to have a heat stroke!
Once we removed the thick stockings, she was a happy camper
Those damn gnats….
I swear they were everywhere!
It needs to be repeated…
I have had the most incredibly happy, stressful, amazing, wonderful time being a designer on Project Run and Play. I never imagined how hard I would push myself, but I did. I know that I did the absolute best I possibly could and that is what matters. I can’t thank everyone enough for giving me this amazing opportunity. It has absolutely changed my life for the best.
Hayley
Hayley Crouse is a wife, mother and multifaceted designer. Her love of sewing, crafting, cooking and interior design infuses her daily life and naturally spills over into her online presence. She pushes the envelope of her creativity and hopes that others will be inspired to do the same. She currently authors the Welcome to the Mouse House Blog, is the pattern designer behind Mouse House Creations and is a collaborative designer with Willow & Co. Patterns.
Latest posts by Hayley (see all)
- Music Room: Home Tour - January 11, 2019
- The Ace Cardigan - July 30, 2018
- Susie Halter Top and Shorts: Project Run and Play - July 18, 2018
Well done Hayley! You have rocked all the way through. Seeing your designs every Friday has been the highlight of my week and I’m so sad it’s all over 🙁 but I’m rooting for you to win!
Absolutely gorgeous and stunning! My mom was from Germany and embroidered everything and I still think it is such a beautiful art. The silhouette of the tunic is very pretty and your attention to detail amazing. V. pretty, had to leave a comment this morning!
Hayley – your embroidery work is PHENOMENAL and I ADORE the outfit!!! {and of course, I went and voted!!!}. I would have spent a pretty penny on this entire ensemble for my Cuties if I’d seen this in a boutique!
Gorgeous and stunning are the words I want to use too!
I can totally see you in the design, and Ainsley makes the perfect model and the setting is spot on!
I love the embroidery design (very impressive considering your “lack” or artistic skills, lol), and how comfy yet fashionable her shorts look.
Seriously love it!!
Hayley! Amazing job. Your embroidery skills are top notch, and the overall look is so beautiful! It’s been a pleasure to be in this competition with you! Best of luck!
I love the whole thing. Did you use a pattern for either the top or bottom?
Wow…I love it! You did a great job. You’ve got my vote (again) and I hope you win! 🙂
I looove it! The embroidery is fabulous, the shorts are adorable and the big bow on the headband is perfect. Congratulations, you’ve done so well!
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Greeat job! You are very talented and I hope you give yourself tons of credit!! You also take amazing photos!
Carrie
Once again amazing work. Your embroidery work was beautiful and the shorts are so cute. Good luck, I’m headed over to vote right now.
So beautiful, I too am interested if you used a pattern or based them on a pattern as I would love to make something similar for my daughter. (similar as we are coming into summer here in australia!)
I love it! That embroidery is just beautiful, and doing the entire front is pure dedication. Love the piped collar and the buttons down the back too. =)
This is gorgeous – I love all the details. Did you base your design on the Oliver & S Puppet Show Pattern? I have that pattern and am inspired by you to add embroidery on it for a similar look for my daughter. Thanks for sharing your talents and inspiration!
Love the whole outfit and what you designed the whole way through. Your kids are adorable and you are a good photographer too!
Hayley,
You did an awesome job!
Very well done. I will be voting for you!
What pattern did you use? It reminds me of a Oliver +S?
Designdreamer
Hayley, your work is beautiful and lively, I love it! Ainsley is adorable and quite the model. Where has the time gone…I remember your Mom showing us her newborn photos. Best of luck in the competition!
Wendy A.
Hayley,
Gorgeous work! The pieces you created this week will be heirlooms for sure and the time you spent embroidering certainly paid off. You have done an amazing job!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I always knew you’d win 🙂 I’m so happy for you!!!! X
The outfit and the work that went into it is stunning! Good luck with Sew-vivor!
Simply stunning!